Activists Call For Passage of NY Farm Worker Bill

Union leaders, politicians and activists joined forces in Albany this morning to promote the Farm Worker Fair Labor Act and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights "Speak Truth to Power" curriculum, as well as the American Federation of Teachers' "Share My Lesson" initiative.

A mash-up of ideas and causes - and their impacts. Educators say that a virtual learning community "By teachers, For Teachers," accessed through the share my lesson -dot- com website, teachers kids about human rights - a lesson was uploaded Wednesday night touching on farm workers and their struggle to achive the same rights, pay and benefits as laborers in other professions across New York State.

Kerry Kennedy of the Robert F. Kennedy Center explained that The Speak Truth to Power curriculum introduces general human rights issues through the stories of some remarkable people working in the field, and urges students to become personally involved in the protection of human rights.

Kennedy labeled today's press conference as "holistic" in that it brought so many causes together. She lauded the new Share My Lesson platform. Share My Lesson is an internet place where educators can come together to create and share their very best teaching resources. Developed by teachers for teachers, this free platform gives access to high-quality teaching resources and provides an online community where teachers can collaborate with, encourage and inspire each other.

The New York Farm Bureau opposes the Farm Worker Fair Labor Act. An official at the agency says farm workers are treated fairly and given adequate pay.